Student segregation

Date and country of first publication

1972
United States

Definition

Student segregation refers to the practice of separating students based on their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status in educational settings. This can occur through explicit policies or through informal practices that perpetuate segregation.

Historically, student segregation has been a significant issue in countries such as the United States. In the United States, for example, racial segregation was legally enforced through Jim Crow laws until the mid-20th century. Even after the legal end of segregation, many schools remain racially and socioeconomically segregated due to various factors, including housing patterns, school district boundaries, and differences in resources and funding.

Student segregation can have significant negative impacts on educational outcomes and perpetuate inequality. Studies have shown that segregated schools often have less funding, fewer resources, lower-quality teachers, and less rigorous academic programs compared to their integrated counterparts. This can lead to disparities in educational achievement and opportunities for students of different races and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Efforts to address student segregation have included school desegregation policies, such as busing students from different neighborhoods to promote diversity. However, these policies have faced significant challenges and controversy. Other approaches have focused on achieving diversity through voluntary integration programs, improving resources in underserved schools, and addressing the underlying societal inequalities that contribute to segregation.

Overall, student segregation remains an important issue that requires ongoing attention and efforts to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of race or socioeconomic status.

Notes

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Further reading

Lawton S.B. (1972) "Measurement of school segregation in detroit", Education and Urban Society, 4(4), pp. 403-421. . DOI: 10.1177/001312457200400403

Turoff M. (2000) "An End to Student Segregation: No More Separation Between Distance Learning and Regular Courses", On the Horizon, 8(1), pp. 1-7. . DOI: 10.1108/10748120010803294

Gorard S.; Fitz J. (2000) "Markets and stratification: A view from England and Wales", Educational Policy, 14(3), pp. 405-428. SAGE Publications Inc.. DOI: 10.1177/0895904800014003004

Gorard S. (2004) "School choice policies and social integration: The experience of England and Wales", Educating citizens: International perspectives on civic values and school choice, 131-156. Brookings Institution Press. DOI: [1]

Mitchell R.E.; Mitchell D.E. (2005) "Student segregation and achievement tracking in year round schools", Teachers College Record, 107(4), pp. 529-562. Teachers College, Columbia University. DOI: [2]

Smith D.P.; Hubbard P. (2014) "The segregation of educated youth and dynamic geographies of studentification", Area, 46(1), pp. 92-100. . DOI: 10.1111/area.12054

Rotberg I.C. (2014) "Charter schools and the risk of increased segregation", Phi Delta Kappan, 95(5), pp. 26-30. Phi Delta Kappa Inc.. DOI: 10.1177/003172171409500507

Hail H.C. (2015) "Patriotism Abroad: Overseas Chinese Students’ Encounters With Criticisms of China", Journal of Studies in International Education, 19(4), pp. 311-326. SAGE Publications Inc.. DOI: 10.1177/1028315314567175

Macartney H.; Singleton J.D. (2018) "School boards and student segregation", Journal of Public Economics, 164(), pp. 165-182. Elsevier B.V.. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2018.05.011

Knight D.S. (2020) "Accounting for Teacher Labor Markets and Student Segregation in Analyses of Teacher Quality Gaps", Educational Researcher, 49(6), pp. 454-458. SAGE Publications Inc.. DOI: 10.3102/0013189X20925805

Petreñas C.; Puigdellívol I.; Jardí A. (2020) "Do educational support policies always favour overcoming inequalities? The situation in Spain", Disability and Society, 1-24. Routledge. DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2020.1788510

Calsamiglia C.; Martínez-Mora F.; Miralles A. (2021) "School Choice Design, Risk Aversion and Cardinal Segregation", Economic Journal, 131(635), pp. 1081-1104. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/ej/ueaa095

Wilson E.K. (2021) "Monopolizing whiteness", Harvard Law Review, 134(7), pp. 2383-2448. Harvard Law Review Association. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3688628